Common Questions about Trekking at the Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites

Topics
To make a reservation, return to the trekking webpage by clicking here.

If you don’t find the answer to your question, please contact the missionaries at martinscove.ts1@ChurchofJesusChrist.org or 307-328-2953.

Overview

Trekking begins at the end of May and ends mid-August. Trekking typically begins the Tuesday after Memorial Day and runs for twelve weeks.
The cost is fifteen dollars per person. This fee applies to all adult trekkers, leaders, staff members—even if they do not walk the trail. The amount of the fee is the same regardless of the length of the trek. The fee will be withdrawn from unit funds.
The sites accommodate groups up to 600 people. For trekking at Martin’s Cove and Sixth Crossing, groups will be divided into subgroups of 150 people. For trekking at Rocky Ridge or from Sixth Crossing to Rock Creek Hollow, groups will be divided into subgroups of 300. Each subgroup will start on the trail an hour apart.

Some of the trek itineraries are not available for all group sizes.

Groups smaller than twenty-five people may walk the trail to Martin’s Cove without a trek reservation. Small groups (less than twenty-five people) are encouraged to look at camping options at Ranch 66.
The site will provide up to fifteen handcarts for every trek of 150 people. It is recommended that six to ten people be assigned per handcart.
Yes. Two missionaries accompany each trek group on the trails. The missionaries set the pace for the group. These missionaries are referred to as Trail Guides.

If you want missionaries to tell stories along the trail—either in addition to your group members’ stories or instead of them—please communicate this to the trek coordinators prior to your arrival.
Each ward or stake must have two medical professionals for each trek. These must be licensed health care professionals. Medical doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses are top-tier candidates, especially if they have had emergency medicine exposure and experience. You might consider calling a trek medical coordinator to handle finding and securing medical assistance for your trek.

Accepted licensed professionals include MD, DO, DDS, PA, NP, LPN, RN, EMT-P, and EMT. If a unit does not have the required licensed medical support two weeks prior to their trek, the Wyoming Mormon Trails Sites will cancel the group’s trek reservation.

A trek is defined as a group of 150 people. If a ward or stake is large, they will need to calculate how many separate treks their group will be divided into and then provide two medical professionals for each trek. (For example, if a group has 450 participants, they will be divided into three treks and need six medical professionals.)

Scheduling

Wards, stakes, families, and other groups may schedule a trek.
We begin accepting trek reservations in September for the subsequent summer.
You will need to know three things to schedule a trek:
  1. The approximate number of people in your group
  2. Your preferred trek itinerary and optional backup itinerary (in case your first choice is unavailable)
  3. Three possible dates for your trek
Once you’ve gathered this information, request a trek reservation through an online form. Missionaries will review the request within one week and inform you whether your trek can be scheduled.


Itineraries

The following 5 different itineraries are available for trek groups. Click on the desired itinerary below to see available dates and group sizes:
Martin’s Cove loop is six miles.

Sixth Crossing loop is six and a half miles.

Rocky Ridge loop is approximately ten miles.

Sixth Crossing to Rock Creek Hollow is approximately twenty-eight miles (covered over two days).
Groups must stay on the designated trail routes. Trek start times are assigned by the missionaries.
  • Martin’s Cove and Sixth Crossing treks start at 7:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 10:00 a.m.
  • Rocky Ridge treks leave Sage Creek at 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
  • The Sixth Crossing to Rock Creek Hollow treks start at 6:30 a.m. or 7:30 a.m.
Martin’s Cove and Sixth Crossing have river crossings, which are available depending on weather conditions and water levels.

The Martin’s Cove, Sixth Crossing, and Sixth Crossing to Rock Creek Hollow treks have parts of the trail that are ideal for a women’s pull or reduced pull.

Campgrounds at Martin’s Cove and Sixth Crossing have areas for square dancing. You will need to request a reservation for square dancing when you make your trek reservation. Each group must provide their own music, sound equipment, and caller.

Many groups choose to stop at one of the amphitheaters in Rock Creek Hollow. Reservations for day use of these amphitheaters can be made at by contacting missionaries at martinscove.ts1@ChurchofJesushChrist.org or 307-328-2953.

Essentials

All campgrounds have available drinking water. Groups are responsible for filling up water containers before trekking. There is limited drinking water available for refills while on the trails. Groups should bring two five-gallon jugs for each handcart.
Each campground has pit toilets, and they are stocked with toilet paper. There are also portable toilets along the trails.

The Rocky Ridge trail has only two toilet locations, which are several miles apart. On the Sixth Crossing to Rock Creek Hollow trail there are two toilet stops along the route each day. Groups trekking these trails might choose to bring a garbage sack, bucket, and pop-up tent for emergency restroom needs along the trail.
We are a “pack in, pack out” site. Groups must take their trash with them when they leave the site. You may dispose of your trash at a city dump in one of the Wyoming towns for a fee. Please do not leave trash at any service stations or roadside rest areas.

While trekking, we recommend each handcart have a garbage bag tied to it. We encourage “leave no trace” trekking and camping, which helps preserve these sites for other groups.
Open fires are only allowed in fire rings at the campsite. Groups may bring propane stoves for cooking. Dutch ovens may be used in fire rings or on appropriate stands. Regulations in the area may restrict fires due to weather conditions.
No. Please contact the missionaries if you need to charge something during the day, such as medical devices. Generators and refrigerator trucks may run in the campground from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
There are no cooking facilities; however, there are designated areas for groups to set up as kitchen areas.
The campground host will provide you with a cleaning checklist when you check in. Cleaning supplies are provided at the campgrounds. Before you check out on the last day, you will need to do a walk-through with the campground host. You are responsible for picking up all litter and cleaning restrooms and firepits.

Training

All groups trekking over Rocky Ridge (the Rocky Ridge and Sixth Crossing to Rock Creek Hollow trek itinerary options) are required to receive the National Historic Trails (NHT) training within twenty-four hours of beginning that trail. This training will be provided at 7:00 p.m. in the Sixth Crossing Visitors’ Center the evening before the start of each trek. Adult trek leaders (including either the “ma” or “pa” for each “family”) must attend this training.

There is a two-page medical informational sheet that we recommend each medical personnel read in preparation for accompanying a trek at this site.

There is no other onsite training required for trekking at Martin’s Cove or Sixth Crossing. It is recommended that you review Preparing to Trek at the Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites. If you have questions, please contact the missionaries at martinscove.ts1@ChurchofJesusChrist.org or 307-328-2953
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Yes. See Preparing to Trek at the Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites. The trek chairperson and ecclesiastical leader (if applicable) are both required to sign the last page of this book and email a copy of that page to martinscove.ts1@ChurchofJesusChrist.org to confirm their trek reservation.

Other

Groups trekking on Rocky Ridge will need to provide a four-wheel drive, high-centered vehicle and driver for each trek. (One trek is up to 300 people.)

Each group trekking at Martin’s Cove and Sixth Crossing is required to have one medical vehicle for every trek. (One trek is up to 150 people.)
No. Leaders who want to stay in a tent trailer, camper, or camp trailer will need to make a personal reservation at a nearby campground, such as Ranch 66 (near Martin’s Cove) or River Camp (near Sixth Crossing).

Semitrucks and anything larger than two axles are not permitted, but enclosed utility trailers work well.
No. The missionaries have ATVs to retrieve participants in emergency medical situations. No other ATVs are permitted on-site.
Persons can only be transported if a member of the medical team says it is necessary for medical reasons. And even in those circumstances, transportation can only be temporary. If you have someone who wants to go on trek but is unable to walk the trails, there are a limited number of rickshaws available. (A rickshaw is a chair with two large wheels that is pulled like a handcart). You can discuss the need for a rickshaw with the missionaries during a phone call two weeks prior to your arrival. If you have any questions before then, please call the office at 307-328-2953.
Wyoming Medical Center
1233 E 2nd St
Casper, Wyoming

(60 miles from Martin’s Cove)

Lander Regional Hospital
1320 Bishop Randall Dr
Lander, Wyoming

(40 miles from Sixth Crossing)
No. The Church does not allow drones on Church-owned property due to safety issues. The Church’s agreement with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) also does not permit drones to be used on BLM land.
The missionaries will have a portable microphone and speaker that can be used on the trail. Groups must provide their own sound equipment for activities at the campgrounds or at the Rock Creek Hollow amphitheaters. Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Air horns, bugles, and similar items are not permitted.
No. Water is for drinking, cooking, and washing hands only.
We recommend that you limit how much you carry in the handcarts. Make sure to have two five-gallon jugs of water, individual water bottles, rain gear, and lunches. Some groups have taken tarps to sit on for the lunch break. Overloading the handcarts may damage them and create undue hardship for those pulling them.
Pioneer clothing is not required. Whatever your group decides to wear, it is recommended that participants wear natural-fiber, lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs to protect them from the sun and from bugs. Cotton, linen, and wool are best because they allow the skin to breathe. Synthetic fibers can cause the wearer to sweat more, which increases the chance of dehydration. Hats offer protection even if participants use sunscreen. Shoes should be closed toed and appropriate for walking several miles.
Yes. The weather in the area is unpredictable—a sunny day can easily turn to rain, hail, snow, or high winds.
No.